Odyssey Race in Virginia

This weekend we traveled to Virginia to run in a trail race in Douthat State Park.  Proceeds from the race benefit veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Since the park books up a year in advance and we only decided to sign up for this 11 weeks ago we stayed just outside the park at The Firmstone Manor, which was so wonderful it needed a separate blog entry.

We arrived at Firmstone Manor around 3:00 Friday, met Barbara and her dogs China and Snoopa and then went to the park to check it out a little and check in for the race at 5PM at the Discovery Center.

This is the Boy Scout fire pit in the Discovery Center area which was also the start and finish for the race.  Douthat seems to be particularly kid friendly with lots of monthly activities for children.   We think we may stay here for future trips to Richmond after Audrey comes home.

This picture shows the first 2oo feet for all the races.  And it is really deceptive in illustrating what any of the courses were like since the trails were hardly flat and much more narrow.

This picture better illustrates what the trails were like.  Both of us were thought it was more difficult than we had anticipated.

We did not see this salamander but apparently they have them.

They also have fishing areas designated just for children under 12.

John's race started 1 1/2 hours before mine.  So after he took off I had to take my tote bag back to the car.  On the way I saw a woman wipe out on one of a trail.  Although I did not bandage her up I think in a way my first aid training may have helped.  I was the first one on the scene, got help before I could get back from our car with our First Aid bag and I recognized she was going in to shock (she started shaking) and yet did not freak out.  Her knee that was cut the deepest was also the one she had knee replacement surgery on as well. 

Minutes before my race started I learned that the 5 mile route was actually 5 1/2 miles.  I ran it in in 1 hour and 9 minutes.   I listened to my China CD candidates playlist on my ipod while I ran.  Ironically the song Celebrate Me Home came on just when I got to the lake which was the last 1/2 mile of my race.  John finished in 3 hours and his race was also longer than a 1/2 marathon.  The other 2 races were marathon and ultra marathon (40 miles) and about 160 total participants. 

Lunch with the Reds and the Nicolas Family

So we thought it was fun to have lunch with some of the young players for the Reds this week.

The tall guy on my right is Logan Ondrusik.  The guy on John's left is Chris Valaika.

And the we found out (via email and then C-Span) that President Obama visited the Nicolas' this past week.  Amazing. 

Almost there

We are in our 10th week of training for the race this Saturday in Douthat State Park.  John is running a half marathon and I'm running 5 miles.  The plan right now is to leave early enough Friday so we have enough time to see the park. 

And possibly a bit of what we are in for on Saturday.  The elevation is our biggest concern.

Douthat is supposed to be beautiful and somewhat historic as well.

Then there is the mystery of our B&B, the Firmstone.  I'm thinking it will be great or creepy.


We are also getting so close to our referral too!  At the very least we expect to hear rumors this week.  Last week I spoke to Betty, our international coordinator, and she assured me she knows how to reach us via cell phone.  It has been an interesting couple of weeks relative to our adoption and the state of Ohio.   This included emailing a request to Governor Ted Strickland.  I asked him if he could request our criminal background check (b/c this wait is so long & our last one expired) be processed in less than the quoted 95 days.  It was done in less than 2 weeks.  I sent emails to everyone which also resulted in one member of congress even calling the consulate in Guangzhou.   Which was overkill.

   We have also re-connected with the IAC and pre-paid for Dr Staat to expedite review of our referral so we can tell our family as soon as possible.   Then we will let the neighbors know and plan a referral party.

Completely off topic ....this picture is of the roses I cut at 987 this morning after I snaked the upstairs apartment's tub.  I did not have time to trim the thorns and leaves and get to work at a decent time so I just shoved them in this vase on my way out the door.  It's different but I kinda like it.  And they smell wonderful.

The Paper Boy

None of these pictures do it justice but this stunning painting is hanging in our 3rd floor stairwell as of tonight. We are just "trying in on" until the end of the year ... but hopefully we will make this it's permanent home.

The setting is from the Covington, KY side of the Roebling bridge on a foggy morning from a turn of the century paper boy view.

Labor Day 2010

This weekend the weather has been unbelievably nice. Unfortunately, for me, I had to work all day Saturday as we are receiving holiday merchandise on top of regular fall fill ins and a huge Fall bulb order. Fortunately, for me, one of my co-workers brought 2 of her 3 daughters in to work on these orders. She said the 3rd daughter would come in Monday to finish. This is not the first time they have helped me out and I hope to buy all of them a thank you gift when we are in China. These next 2 pictures of close ups of Rudbeckia and Pansy in our window boxes off the kitchen.

Our Monday morning spinning class was cancelled because of Labor Day but we went to the gym to work out anyhow. We have just 2 weeks before the Douthat Race (John = 1/2 marathon and a 5 mile for me).

So after the gym we swung by the new neighborhood coffee shop, Bowtie Cafe. Yeah the coffee is good! This cafe seems to have a lot of potential to be an interesting place.

Then we worked in the garden. This next picture was taken after John cut the grass and I sucked up the leaves with the leaf blower. I also cleared the bed with the spent Rudbeckia. It's a little early to do this but I did it just in case we have a referral party this month. I think this party will more likely happen in October.

Here are some of the fall bulbs I have purchased from Krohn on Saturday. I'm kinda bored with Apeldorn tulips and only planting odd tulips species from now on. This red one is Couleur Cardinal. I also bought this Sorbet blend.

And then I'm going to plant these naturalizing tulips where the Allium were next to the lamppost.

These dwarf Iris, Harmony, bloom really early in spring and were good for us so I bought them again. I will plant these in front of the tulip beds.

For the front ceramic pots I bought these Heavenly blends of Hyacinth, daffodils and muscari. I've got one more ceramic pot to buy a blend for in the courtyard.

Cheetah 5K @ Zoo

This morning I ran the Cheetah 5K . This was my first race in decades. I've been getting ready for this race for awhile but was concerned I was not ready for the hills. And they were tough. But I'm happy with my time. Which was 30.25 minutes.

I really liked my cool number.

Next race, with significantly more hills, in 2 weeks in Virginia is a 5 Mile trail run.

CPR and First Aid Class

Today I completed Infant, Child & Adult CPR/ AED and First Aid courses and certification. It was a good class and I am glad I completed ... just hope I never have to use this knowledge. They gave us these laminated Skills Cards which the Red Cross instructor told us can be helpful if someone reads while another person performs in case you are freaking out. One of the things I learned is the average 911 emergency arrival time is 8 - 10 minutes. This class taught how to handle the emergency until the professionals arrive. I'm thinking about taking Common Childhood Illnesses from the Red Cross in October. Fortunately this class is geographically more desirable as it is in Hyde Park. The classes I just completed were in the northern suburbs. RQ thinks we might hear early rumors next week. We are braced for a 2 day batch ...